This is my first assignment for this course which asks for 8 contrasted pairs and a single image which combines them. The difficulty of this assignment is to not strictly present diametric opposites visually but to try and introduce abstract ideas and communicative them effectively. The results are I think a mixed bag some are explicit others require some explanation. In any event these are the pairs chosen and why:
1) Many and Few
This image pair was taken at Chongquing in China during what I would call a local government team building exercise. The mass of the workers somehow lose any sense of individualism by being organised in regimented rows presumably by department. This contrasts with the second image not only because it focuses on the few within the mass but more importantly the eye contact creates a connection between the observer and that individual. This connection reinforces the sense of the individual who stands out from the crowd.
Technically these images are a little soft fundamentally due to the nature of the lenses used. Many have a sweet range and the Nikkor 80-40mm 4.5-5.6 used is excellent up to 320mm. I decided to include these nevertheless because of the message they convey.
2) Hard and Soft
In these image pairs I wanted to express an abstract idea of hard and soft or fluid detail. You could argue this is more to do with motion which is true but I wanted to convey the creative options of long exposures. In a low light beach scene using a 10 stop ND filter you would end up with an abstract image containing nothing more than coloured bands of sky, sea, breakwater and sand. In this instance I decided to include the boat as a pictorial focal point with some sea details.
The first image was captured tripod mounted with the boat skimming the horizon with an interesting back-light sail. The second contrasts with the first by the fluid or soft depiction of the elements of sea and boat. It was achieved with a 10 stop ND filter. The boat itself would have been significantly more blurred if it was not tacking and therefore reasonably stationary.
This set would equally fulfil the contrast of still and moving.
3) Light and Dark
The contrasts in this pair are obvious but I wanted to show that the night sky does not necessarily equate to black. These images were taken at Bardsey Island in North Wales. Compositionally they are a little weak lacking a strong foreground. The first image shows the sky at dusk with a deep blue hue while the clouds add some texture and the twinkling of the stars add interest as they are just becoming evident. The contrasting image reveals the secrets of the night sky if you are fortunate enough to live in an area of low light pollution. In essence night sky is illuminated beyond that of the brightest stars and includes the spiral arms of our own galaxy the Milky Way. The increasing density of light towards the horizon is due to the mass of stars at the centre of the galaxy.
4) Large and Small
This is a simple contrast and conveys the idea of scale. The first image depicts the detailed or large view of a group walking across snow and ice. But the second image gives the context and a sense of scale as a group traverses a glacier across the French Alps.
The composition of both images are simplistic with the first group travelling diagonally from left to right while those in the bottom image are shown moving in an arc. This set would also satisfy the diagonal and rounded contrast but it is the perception of scale which is important.
5) High and Low
I wanted to focus on perspective in this pair. In the first image we have a normal perspective but in respect of the dog the image is rather high. With that in mind to get an idea of what the world may seem like to the dog it is necessary to get down low.
Compositionally the first image is uncluttered in the sense that there that no other faces to distract the viewer and hopefully you are focused on the disabled lady and her dog. The emphasis shifts to her pet dog in the second image but still leaves the viewer with enough information to see that she is disabled and therefore suggesting a special bond between them. Also without the first image the sense of scale would be lost as the size of the dog is deceptively large.
6) Broad and Narrow
This one is a little weak as a contrast. It focuses on the transformation from the narrow physical existence of a caterpillar to the broad existence of a butterfly. In the first instance the butterfly has not only changed but is no longer a limited munching tube. Instead it is a beautiful creature with broad wings which can fly and feeds on nectar and pollinates plants to aid the next generation of butterflies.
Compositionally the images are pleasing in that they focus on the physical differences between them. The first is a crisp view with a narrow depth of field of the head and torso with the wings ready for flight while it is at rest on long delicate legs. Other details include the eyes and the proboscis and the fine hairs on the body. The second is on a diagonal with an emphasis on the method of eating and tubular shape with the details of the head segmented body and spikes.
7) Straight and Curved
400mm at 1/500s, f/16 & ISO 250
This pair is a study of relative motion. In the first the plane is dynamic with trailing smoke curving on the diagonal while the other is simply travelling from right to left on a traight line.
Compositionally they make an intersesing pair. The colour and light contrast is good and the smoke emphasised the direction of travel. The viewers attention will ultimately fall on the wing walker who may wonder how she copes with the speeds and forces as the plane dances across the sky.
8) Sharp and Blunt
These images focus on geometric shapes. The contrast between them is most strongly demonstrated by the second image which thrusts through the centre to a sharp point. It is back-light and is a little menacing as it is mostly in shadow with a gleaming edge which could almost be a cutting edge. The other is sculptural being round and smooth as well as being brightly lit it creates a tranquil emotion.
9) Still and Moving
This single image attempts to capture both stillness and motion. These contrasts are reflected in the structure, light and the environment. The castle is a focus of hope as it offers warmth and a place of security, a lasting presence and stillness within a changing hostile environment. That environment is cold depicted by the blue colours and the motion of the billowing clouds suggests howling winds.
1) Many and Few
225mm at 1/45s, f/5.6 & ISO 320
400mm at 1/20s, f/5.6 & ISO 320
This image pair was taken at Chongquing in China during what I would call a local government team building exercise. The mass of the workers somehow lose any sense of individualism by being organised in regimented rows presumably by department. This contrasts with the second image not only because it focuses on the few within the mass but more importantly the eye contact creates a connection between the observer and that individual. This connection reinforces the sense of the individual who stands out from the crowd.
Technically these images are a little soft fundamentally due to the nature of the lenses used. Many have a sweet range and the Nikkor 80-40mm 4.5-5.6 used is excellent up to 320mm. I decided to include these nevertheless because of the message they convey.
2) Hard and Soft
330mm at 1/320s, f/8 & ISO100
330mm at 3s, f/8 & ISO 100
In these image pairs I wanted to express an abstract idea of hard and soft or fluid detail. You could argue this is more to do with motion which is true but I wanted to convey the creative options of long exposures. In a low light beach scene using a 10 stop ND filter you would end up with an abstract image containing nothing more than coloured bands of sky, sea, breakwater and sand. In this instance I decided to include the boat as a pictorial focal point with some sea details.
The first image was captured tripod mounted with the boat skimming the horizon with an interesting back-light sail. The second contrasts with the first by the fluid or soft depiction of the elements of sea and boat. It was achieved with a 10 stop ND filter. The boat itself would have been significantly more blurred if it was not tacking and therefore reasonably stationary.
This set would equally fulfil the contrast of still and moving.
3) Light and Dark
16mm at 30s, f/2.8 & ISO 4000
16mm at 30s, f/2.8 & ISO 4000 and a stack of 30 images
The contrasts in this pair are obvious but I wanted to show that the night sky does not necessarily equate to black. These images were taken at Bardsey Island in North Wales. Compositionally they are a little weak lacking a strong foreground. The first image shows the sky at dusk with a deep blue hue while the clouds add some texture and the twinkling of the stars add interest as they are just becoming evident. The contrasting image reveals the secrets of the night sky if you are fortunate enough to live in an area of low light pollution. In essence night sky is illuminated beyond that of the brightest stars and includes the spiral arms of our own galaxy the Milky Way. The increasing density of light towards the horizon is due to the mass of stars at the centre of the galaxy.
4) Large and Small
300mm at 1/1250, f/8 & ISO 200
25mm at 1/250, f/8 & ISO 200
This is a simple contrast and conveys the idea of scale. The first image depicts the detailed or large view of a group walking across snow and ice. But the second image gives the context and a sense of scale as a group traverses a glacier across the French Alps.
The composition of both images are simplistic with the first group travelling diagonally from left to right while those in the bottom image are shown moving in an arc. This set would also satisfy the diagonal and rounded contrast but it is the perception of scale which is important.
5) High and Low
38mm at 1/1250s, f/2.8 & ISO 400
23mm at 1/1250s, f/6.3 & ISO 400
I wanted to focus on perspective in this pair. In the first image we have a normal perspective but in respect of the dog the image is rather high. With that in mind to get an idea of what the world may seem like to the dog it is necessary to get down low.
Compositionally the first image is uncluttered in the sense that there that no other faces to distract the viewer and hopefully you are focused on the disabled lady and her dog. The emphasis shifts to her pet dog in the second image but still leaves the viewer with enough information to see that she is disabled and therefore suggesting a special bond between them. Also without the first image the sense of scale would be lost as the size of the dog is deceptively large.
6) Broad and Narrow
105mm at 1/250s, f/2.8 & ISO 320
105mm at 1/80s, f/5 & ISO 400
This one is a little weak as a contrast. It focuses on the transformation from the narrow physical existence of a caterpillar to the broad existence of a butterfly. In the first instance the butterfly has not only changed but is no longer a limited munching tube. Instead it is a beautiful creature with broad wings which can fly and feeds on nectar and pollinates plants to aid the next generation of butterflies.
Compositionally the images are pleasing in that they focus on the physical differences between them. The first is a crisp view with a narrow depth of field of the head and torso with the wings ready for flight while it is at rest on long delicate legs. Other details include the eyes and the proboscis and the fine hairs on the body. The second is on a diagonal with an emphasis on the method of eating and tubular shape with the details of the head segmented body and spikes.
7) Straight and Curved
175mm at 1/400s, f/16 & ISO 250
This pair is a study of relative motion. In the first the plane is dynamic with trailing smoke curving on the diagonal while the other is simply travelling from right to left on a traight line.
Compositionally they make an intersesing pair. The colour and light contrast is good and the smoke emphasised the direction of travel. The viewers attention will ultimately fall on the wing walker who may wonder how she copes with the speeds and forces as the plane dances across the sky.
8) Sharp and Blunt
17mm at 1/350s, f/10 & ISO 200
17mm at 1/500s, f/10 & ISO 100
These images focus on geometric shapes. The contrast between them is most strongly demonstrated by the second image which thrusts through the centre to a sharp point. It is back-light and is a little menacing as it is mostly in shadow with a gleaming edge which could almost be a cutting edge. The other is sculptural being round and smooth as well as being brightly lit it creates a tranquil emotion.
9) Still and Moving
17mm at 30s, f/22 & ISO 100, three frame HDR
This single image attempts to capture both stillness and motion. These contrasts are reflected in the structure, light and the environment. The castle is a focus of hope as it offers warmth and a place of security, a lasting presence and stillness within a changing hostile environment. That environment is cold depicted by the blue colours and the motion of the billowing clouds suggests howling winds.
